Spurs making it look easy with 57-42 halftime lead

The Spurs have taken advantage of defensive lapses as they have raced to a 57-42 halftime lead over injury-ravaged Dallas.

Tony Parker leads San Antonio with 12 points after a fast start where he scored or assisted on the Spurs’ first nine baskets as the Spurs have trailed only once in the game.

Dallas is playing without All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki for the ninth straight game. Center Tyson Chandler was suffering from the effects of a sore throat, but started in the game. Chandler played 11 minutes, scoring four points with three rebounds.

There was one moment of chippiness when Dallas guard Jason Terry gave Ginobili a hip check that Sidney Crosby would have been proud of. Terry was whistled for a technical foul by lead referee Greg Willard after the exchange after complaints from Gregg Popovich and Ginobili.

The Spurs have limited Dallas to 40.5 percent. And despite missing seven straight shots at one point late in the second quarter, the Spurs are hitting 46.8 percent from the field.